There were only five people at the June 23rd meeting. Alas, summertime.

JohnSki distributed $150 each to Marcia and Karen from the DAP Treasury for their trip to the Netroots Conference next month in Detroit. The money had been donated for that specified purpose to the DAP Treasury by various DAP members and others to help with expenses, since we will all benefit from much good information, contacts, etc. Also, it was the consensus that the $40 collected in donations at the sign painting picnic go toward Marcia and Karen's trip.

Marcia reported that there is a community rights meeting scheduled for July 6th for the purpose of deciding what might be done in Wisconsin along the lines of what CELDF does. Decorah, Iowa, has begun a community rights movement. John suggested that a lot of the value statements and goals and objectives in the DeForest and Windsor master land use plans already state a sort of set of community rights and values. We should not overlook those documents. Ginny moved and Karen seconded and it was the group consensus that DAP should form a committee to draft a community bill of rights for DeForest and Windsor.

The 4th of July plans were discussed. The theme of our parade float will be "Let Freedom Ring" with bells carrying through the theme. Nate's truck? Adam's trailer? We need a time and place to meet and get things together: float riders, walkers, voter registration handouts, candy? Bingo help? Things need pulling together.

There was some discussion about the preceding week's "Save Our State" energy motorcade and related events.

Further discussion on sign painting, signs going up, one taken down at property owner's request (desires Mary Burke sign, not message sign), sign storage at Doug's, some materials still at Ginny's.

We need to find ways to back Michelle Zahn, challenger to Senator Scott Fitzgerald.

George Ferriter is eager to participate in a candidates' debate at the DeForest Library. John is to contact the library staff to see if and when the debate is scheduled.

There is also letter writing for Ferriter and others. Mary Lou Sharpee is coordinating some letter writing, sharing letter formats, etc.

John and Marcia are going to attend the next meeting of the Friends of the Upper Yahara River Headwaters meeting on Tuesday, July 1, 5:30 p.m. at 717 DeForest Street in DeForest. Others are encouraged to attend and touch base with a local interest group.

Some DAP members have been to the new coffee and wine bar in DeForest -- Macchiato's -- and have mentioned to the proprietor that we might like to meet there and maybe hold an open mic session or two. The management seemed receptive. See you all there next Monday for a look-see!